Camdeboo Hospice

amdeboo Hospice, a registered Non-Profit Organisation, provides a holistic Home-based Palliative Care service to those infected and affected by life-limiting diseases with the main focus of care being HIV&AIDS, Cancer and Motor Neurone Disease. In January 2013, in order to meet the unfortunate increase in the number of TB patients in our area, we introduced a MDR and XDR TB (Multiple Drug Resistant and Extreme Drug Resistant Tuberculosis) program and employed an additional Professional Nursing Sister specifically for this program. Our services extend to 5 towns in the Camdeboo & Ikewzi areas – Graaff-Reinet, Nieu Bethesda, Aberdeen, Jansenville and Klipplaat and are available to the entire community, regardless of gender, age, ethnic group, religious persuasion or financial status.

Our team of 20 dedicated Caregivers walk from house to house in extreme Karoo weather conditions providing care and support where it is needed most – in the patients’ own homes. Our Staff Nurse and Professional Nursing Sister ensure that these ladies and gentlemen maintain the excellent quality of service for which we have become renowned and appreciated. The Sister and Staff Nurse travel to the outlying towns each month to oversee the care of the patients, to deliver medical supplies and food parcels and to monitor, encourage, and support the staff based there. As at the end of November 2013, we have 269 registered patients.

As most of our clients live below the bread-line, whenever possible, poverty relief is provided in the form of material support, but never in cash: each patient receives a basic monthly food parcel; medical supplies and equipment are issued when necessary and donations received from the community are distributed appropriately.

Patient Support Groups are an important part of our project offering clients the opportunity to meet with their peers to discuss and solve any problems, to encourage one another, and to spend time with the caregivers in a group situation. At these gatherings educational presentations are made on various topics and spiritual support is offered by church ministers. Handcraft is taught, both as a form of therapy and for skills development purposes. When possible a light meal is served to the attendees at the end of the meeting.

The Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVC) program offers care and support to the children of our patients in the form of support groups, basic food parcels, distribution of donated items, help with school homework, etc. We have a team of 7 caregivers, under the supervision of the OVC Coordinator specially employed to take care of the children. As at the end of November 2013, we have 216 registered OVC aged from infants to 18 years old.

Because Camdeboo Hospice believes that Education + Awareness = Prevention, we employ an Educator/Motivator to provide HIV&AIDS, Cancer and TB Education and Awareness presentations at all schools, government departments, churches, businesses, etc. 3 annual calendar events are organised and presented in the community: International Hospice week, International Palliative Care Day and World Aids Day.

Camdeboo Hospice instils a sense of hope in the lives of people in the final stages of their illness. We help them to live the best quality of life possible even during the course of their illness and we encourage and support their loved ones.

“Hospice workers have proclaimed through their loving care of those who are dying, that people are infinitely precious. That even at the end of their lives they matter most.” Nelson Mandela

Please note that weekly Jumble Sales are held every Friday from the garage at Camdeboo Hospice 09h00 t0 11h00, in Church Square. Good quality clothing, shoes, household items, bri-a-brac etc are sold at crazy low prices.

100% Honey for Hospice is for sale at Reinet Studio`s in Caledon Street for R35 a bottle.

Graaff-Reinet SPCA

ACVV Sheltered Workplace

Lions Club

Camdeboo Sterilization Initiative

Vuyani Safe Haven

Rapport Ryers Graaff-Reinet

The Camdeboo...where space, nature and heritage combine to offer a Karoo tourism experience like no other place on earth.

TOWNS & ROUTES OF THE CAMDEBOO

The word Camdeboo, derived from the Khoi word meaning ‘green pool’ or ‘green hippo pool’ from the Khoi Cam-/Kam- ‘green’ and -debo(o) ‘pool, hippo pool’, has become synonymous with a sense of magical mystery. It was first popularised in Eve Palmer’s book “The Plains of Camdeboo”, published in 1966 and stretches from the south of the Sneeuberg to as far as Pearston and Murraysburg.

Surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park, Graaff-Reinet, the heart of the “Great Karoo” – Place of Thirst – is a boundless and mysterious area covered by vast livestock and game farms, where broad plains roll away to distant koppies and multilayered mountains that seem to touch the indigo sky. Listen to the silence, breathe in the aged earth and the Karoo bossies (which conjure up the taste of Karoo lamb!), and gaze at a startlingly clear horizon that seems drawn at the other end of the earth. Our clear night skies are studded with countless stars and huge bright planets; even other galaxies are visible with the naked eye, offering some of the best star gazing in the world. Fossils of some of the earliest forms of one-celled life have been discovered here, indicating that life has existed in this region for three billion years. The richness of pre-dinosaur fossils in this region is world-renowned.

We invite you to experience the magic of this area, discover eccentric little hamlets, sprawling farmsteads, the historical town of Graaff-Reinet and the nearby villages of Aberdeen and Nieu Bethesda, populated by warm and welcoming people that love to share their stories and legends.

GRAAFF - REINET

Established in 1786, Graaff-Reinet is the country’s fourth oldest magisterial district and has been named the “Gem of the Karoo”. The town is recognized as the home of magnificent examples of Cape Dutch, Victorian and Karoo architecture, and has over 220 heritage sites (more than any other town in South Africa!). The past is preserved in five extraordinary museums which hold collections of photographic memorabilia, firearms, artworks and fossils, tracing the story of the Karoo - and the town - from pre-history right up to the present day. This lovely town is the only one in South Africa that is virtually surrounded by a nature reserve, Camdeboo National Park, and is situated on the banks of the Sundays River. The lush gardens, parks and tree-lined avenues are in sharp contrast to the semi-arid vastness of the surrounding Great Karoo. Visit Graaff-Reinet for a true Karoo experience.

ABERDEEN

Situated in the scenic plains of Camdeboo, Aberdeen was founded in 1856 and has been declared an architectural conservation town. The town is a veritable repository of architectural styles including Victorian, Georgian, Karoo, German, Gothic Revival, Russian, Art Nouveau and Flemish Revival. This town offers the authentic Karoo lifestyle experience.

NIEU BETHESDA

It will feel as though you have time travelled to the past when visiting the beautiful village of Nieu Bethesda nestled at the foot of the magnificent Compassberg, only a 30 minute drive from Graaff-Reinet. The town was first established as a mission station in 1875. It is renowned for its sacred Bushman rock art sites, fossils and the Owl House, which is a museum dedicated to the eccentric artist Helen Martins. This quaint village has no fuel stations, banks, ATM’s or credit card facilities, so fill up your tank and wallet beforehand.

Featured Listings (Click for More Info)

Abbotsbury lies in small, perfectly-formed valley and a lush, well-tended garden. Half way between Johannesburg and the Garden Route Abbotsbury offers a restful stay, with great food, game viewing and birding.

These beautifully restored Karoo cottages in historic Parsonage Street, with another in Middle Street and in Cradock Street, are fully air-conditioned, have DSTV channels, safe off-street parking and are pet-friendly. They are within easy walking distance from good restaurants as well as the attractions of Graaff-Reinet.

Centrally situated Wheelchair accessable accommodation with true Karoo hospitality. 3 rooms have roll in showers. All rooms are airconditioned and heated with a small kitchenette on suite bathrooms, TV and hot blankets in winter. We offer braai and swimming pool facilities in the garden and have secure off street parking. We are in walking distance to the centre of town and very good restaurants.

This Karoo Victorian-style home, in the shade of Jacaranda trees, was built in 1840 by a transport carrier and is now a national monument. Buiten Verwagten has a reputation of providing luxurious modern comfort.